United States v. Russell

United States District Court, Seventh Circuit

September 25, 2013

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff,v.KENNEDY M. RUSSELL, Defendant.

MEMORANDUM and ORDER

DAVID R. HERNDON, Chief District Judge.

Pending before the Court is Russell's September 24, 2013 notice of appeal (Doc. 106) which contains a request for certificate of appealability (Doc. 107) and a request to proceed informa pauperis on appeal (Doc. 108). In this Notice of Appeal, Russell states that he is appealing "the Trial Court's, Final Judgment, in error, in imposition of restitution' in the above described matter."[1] Based on the following, the Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability and denies the request to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal.

As to the certificate of appealability, the Court denies the request as Russell is not entitled to one. Rule 11(a) of the Rules governing habeas corpus proceedings requires that "the district court must issue or deny a certificate of appealability when it enters a final order adverse to the applicant." Clearly, a certificate of appealability applies in a habeas corpus proceeding and not in a criminal matter. Furthermore, this is a criminal case wherein restitution was entered on September 9, 2011 (Doc. 61). On September 17, 2013, Russell filed a motion to reevaluate the restitution order (Doc. 104). The Court directed the government to respond to the Russell's motion on or before October 2, 2013. Thus, the issue for restitution is not ripe for determination and there is nothing on the record to appeal.

Likewise, the Court denies the motion to proceed in forma pauperis based on the same reasoning. An appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken in good faith." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3). As there is nothing to appeal from, the Court CERTIFIES that the appeal is not taken in good faith.

Accordingly, the Court DENIES the motion for certificate of appealability (Doc. 107) and the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 108). Russell shall tender the appellate filing and docketing fee of $455 to the Clerk of Court in this District, or he may reapply to the Seventh ...

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